Adjustable bracelet structure



l`Ian. 3, 1933.

E. G. CARLSON ADJUSTABLE BRACELET STRUCTURE Filed March 4, 1932 3f GL? H. W l g55/ff Patented Jan. 3, 1933 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN G; CARLSON, F EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 ALBERT E. R. SPEIDEL, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, DOING BUSINESS AS SPEIDEL BROTHERS ADJUSTABLE BRACELET STRUCTURE l Application led March 4,

This invention relates to an improved adjustable bracelet structure of a type adapted for use in connection with wrist watches wherein there is employed a take-up means consisting generally of metal plates pivotally connected together and adapted to be folded into interfitting relation with each other, and which is provided with an adjustable extension means to permit variations in the length of the bracelet.

One object of the invention is the provision of an improved bracelet structure Wherem an extension member is carried by the take-up means and adapted to be moved into various positions of extensibility and temporarlly secured in each of said positions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a takeup means provided with an extension member capable of being adj ustably moved from its retracted position by automatically operated means and by degrees in such a manner that substantially the exact degree of extension desired may be secured readily and Without extensive manipulatlon i of the parts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a take-up means of the character described provided with an extension member and having regulating means therefor which are adapted to regulate the movement of the extension member into its extended position.

A further obj ect of the invention is the provision of a spring propelled bracelet extension member and constantly effective means for regulating the degree of extension of the extension member in such a manner as to permit a graduated step-by-step movement of the member into its extended position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved extension device of this character comprising a supporting member and an extension member adapted to be housed Within the supporting member or moved into extended position relative thereto, together with rack and pawl means carried by said supporting member and extension member respectively and capable of cooperative engagement to regulate automatically the degree of movement of said extension 1932. Serial No. 596,757.

member from its retracted supporting member.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved form of take-up means comprising plates pivotally connected together for movement into extended position or into folded relation with each other and having an extension member carried by one of said plates together with means for locking said extension member in a plurality of adjusted positions in such a manner that the extension member is maintained in its previously adjusted positions when the plates are mplved into extended position relative to each ot er.

Another obj ect of the invention is the provision of cooperating pawl and ratchet means of this character wherein the pawl is resiliently actuated to render the same constantly position within the effective for regulating the position of the' extension member through engagement with a rack carried thereby.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relate to various improved details of constructionand novel arrangements of the parts as will be more fully set forth in the detailed description to follow.

Referring to the drawing Fig. l is a side elevational view of the improved bracelet structure, arranged in the form of a bracelet, and showing the opposite ends of flexible sections attached to a take-up means and watch respectively,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the take-up means showing the parts in partially open position, and illustrating the manner of attaching flexible braceletsections to the opposite ends thereof,

F ig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken through the take-up means and illustrating the arrangement of the foldable plates when in their folded positions,l

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a portion of the take-up means and one of the flexible bracelet sections to show more-.clearly the detail structure of the extension member and its supporting plate,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the extension member and its supporting plate, certain of the parts beingV broken away to illustrate more clearly details of the structure and the relation of the rack and pawl members to each other,

Fi view through the take-up means, with the plates in folded position, showin the means for detachably securing the en plates together as wellas the actuating means for regulating the movement of the extension member relative to its supporting plate, and.,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the rack and pawl mechanism showing the arrangement of the parts to effect a step-bystep regulation' of the movement of the extension member.

In that form of the invention illustrated herewith 1 designates generally the bracelet structure which as shown comprises a take-up means 2 and flexible bracelet sections 3 and 4 which connect opposite ends of the take-up means 2 with a watch 5. The flexible bracelet sections 3 and 4 are each made up of a plurality of rectangular links 6, which are joined to each other by bands 7 joining the adjacent side portions of the links 6.

The take-up means 2 comprises a plurality of hingedly connected plate members 9, 10 and 11, said plate members having their adjacent ends pivotally connected together in any suitable manner as by pivot pins 12 and 14 so as to be capable of movementl into an extended position relative to each other, as

indicated in Fig. 4 or to be folded and held into interfitting relation as indicated in Fig. 3. The pivotally connected plates 10 and 11 are provided with upstanding lateral flanges 15 and 16 respectively, so positioned as to fit within each other and both extend towards the back portion of the plate 9 whenthe parts are in folded position as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The flanges 15 are provided with oppositely positioned recesses 18, while the vflanges 16 have inturned portions 19 oppositely positioned relative to each other and so arranged as to be located adjacent to and to snap into the recesses 18 when the parts are in their folded positions in order to releasably secure the plates 10 and 11 against separa tion.

The plate 9 has its lateral edge portion partially rolled over as indicated at 20 to provide oppositely positioned housings for the enlarged or rolled lateral edges 21 of an extension member 22 which is slidably supported by the plate 9 with its rolled lateral edges 21 fitting within the housings 20 in such a manner as to slide freely therein. Coiled compression springs 24 are also located within the housings 20 adjacent to that end of the plate 9 which carries the pivot pin 12, and these compression springs 24 engage the ends of the lateral edges 21 of the extension member to constantly urge the extension member outwardly from the plate 9 or into extended position relative thereto.

g. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional The edges of the rolled portions 2O of the lplate 9 terminate as indicated at 25 so that they are engaged by outturned lugs 26 carried by the flanges 16 of the plate 11 when the parts are in folded position to releasably secure the several plates against accidental separation, thus retaining the parts of the takeup means in folded position, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing.

The fiexible bracelet section 4 has one of its end links 6 secured to the free end of the plate 11 in any suitable manner, as by bending over the end portion of the plate 11 as indicated at 28, and the flexible section 3 has its end link 6 secured to the transverse end portion 29 of the extension member 22 as by means of a sleeve link 7, similar to those employed in connecting adjacent links together.

The extension member 22 is provided with a rack portion 31 connecting ortions of the rolled over or enlarged side e ges 21 thereof and shaped to t against and slidably engage the back of the plate 9 between the rolled over housings 20. The rack 31 has a portion thereof cutaway in such a manner as to form oppos1tely positioned inwardly projecting teeth 32 which are adapted to be engaged by the downturned ends 34 of a spring plate or pawl 35 carried by the plate 9 and secured thereto in any suitable manner as by bent over clamping lugs 36. The spring engaging ends 34, and of suiicient width to overlie and contact With the upper surface of the teeth 32 when the ends 34 of the pawl 35 are 1n engagement with the sides of the teeth 32. The provision of the end extension 40 serves to limit the degree of engagement of the pawl with the ratchet teeth and prevents the ends 34 of the pawl from being forced beneath the teeth 32 through any severe strain to which the bracelet may be subjected.

The inwardly extending teeth 32 are each formed with one face 37 located at substantially right angles to the plane of the rack and adapted to be engaged by the ends 34 of the pawl 35 for locking the extension member against movement outwardly of the plate 9, while the opposite face of each tooth 32 is inclined as at 38' to permit the ends 34 of the pawl 35 to slide thereover in pressing the extension member into its retracted position within the supporting plate 9.

In using the improved bracelet structure, the extension member 22 may be adjusted roughly relative to its supportin plate 9 before applying the structure to t e arm, and

then after the bracelet is in position upon the arm with the plates 9, 10 and 11 folded t0- gether, the final adjustment may be made as follows.

If the bracelet fits the arm too loosely, pressure may be exerted upon the end 29 of the extension member to force it further within its supporting plate 9, and the inclined surfaces of the pawl end 34 will slide freely over the inclined faces 38 of the teeth 32, to permit the desired retraction of the extension plate 22 within its supporting plate 9.

In the event that .the bracelet fits too closely about the arm when the parts of the takeup means are moved to their folded positions, or if it is 'found desirable at any time to lengthen the bracelets, the user need only press slightly upon that portion of the lug 38 which projects slightly through the back of the plate 9 to fforce the ends 34 of the pawl 35 out of engagement with the teeth 32 of the rack 3l and the coiled springs 24 will move the extension member automatically outwardly of the plate 9 and into a more extended position relative thereto. If the pressure upon the lug 38 is Vtemporary the pawl 35 will slide over only one or two of the teeth 32 and thus effect a slight increase in length of the bracelet which may be repeated if desired to eii'ect a step-by-step extension of the bracelet structure. By means of the spring pressed pawl 35 and its lug 38 the pawl may be actuated manually to move the pawl out of engagement with the teeth temporarily in such a manner as to per-v mit a gradual extension of the bracelet structure until the desired length has been obtained. In each case the resilient character of the pawl 35 forces the downturned ends 34 into engagement :with oppositely positioned teeth 32 of the rack as soon as pressure upon the lug 38 is released.

The lug 38 and the resilient pawl 35 serve therefore in connection with the teeth 32 car? ried by the extension member as a means tor regulating the movement of the extenslon member while the same is subjected to the iniiuence of the coiled spring 24, whereby movement of the extension member may be controlled as desired through movement of the manually operated lug 38. That is, momentary movement of the lug 38 serves to release the pawl 35 from the teeth with which it may be engaged, the pawl tending -to return immediately upon its release for engagement with-other teeth 32. This may be repeated to obtain a more or less gradual or step by step movement of the extension member outwardly of its supporting plate in such a manner as to lengthen the bracelet. The pawl 35 also cooperates with the teeth 32 when pressure upon the lug 38 is released to form a stop mechanism for limiting the outwardmovement of the extension member relative to its supporting plateunder the pressure exerted by the coiled springs 24.

It will be seen also, that the present construction provides an adjustable extension means which is confined to a single take-up plate, and that the parts of the take-up means will be maintained in their original positions without change even after the removal of the bracelet structure and its replacement on the arm. This is accomplished by supporting both therack 31 and the pawl 35 upon the plate 9 which supports the extension member 22 in such a manner that the movement of the take-up plates into their extended positions does not effect any movement of the pawl and rack relative to each other. The present structure also permits adjustment of the extension member in either direction, both while the plates 9, 10 and 11 are in folded position and when they are in eX- tended position, and holds the extension member in the desired adjusted position relative to the plate 9 at all times even when the parts of the take-up means are in their extended positions.

It will be seen also that by means of the outturned lugs 26 carried by the anges 16 of the plate 11 engaging over the edges 25 of the rolled portions 20 of the plate 9, the several plates are secured against separation and are so held that the two plates 10 and 11 are located within the overall thickness of the plate 9 whereby a relatively compact take-up member is provided which presents a smooth and even surface on both sides, and has no portions liable to irritate the arm or catch upon the fabric of the sleeve. The provision of the flanges 15 and 16 carried by the plates 10 and 11, and so positioned as to extend towards the back portion of the plate 9 when the parts are in their folded positions, serves to provide suilicient space between the plate 9 and the plate 11 for's'uch movement of the pawl 35 as may be necessary to disengage the downturned ends 34 from the teeth 32 of the rack upon pressure being exerted upon the lug 38 in order to make the desired adjustment of the extension member.

What I claim is 1. In a bracelet structure, a take-up means comprising plates pivotally connected to each other and providedpwith interfitting portions, an extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, yieldable means engaging said extension member for moving it into extended position relative to said plate, and means for regulating the movement of said extension member relative to said plate.

2. In a bracelet structure, a take-up means comprising plates pivotally connected together for movement into extended position or into folded relation with each other, an

extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, spring means actmg upon said extension member to move it into its extended position relative to said plate, and manually actuated means for controlling the movement' of said extension member in one direction relative to said plate.

3. In a device of the character described, a take-up means comprising plates pivotally .connected together for movement into extended position or into folded relation with each other, an extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, spring means acting upon said extension member to move it into its extended position relative to said plate, and stop means carried'by said plate and extension member for controlling the movement of said extension member as actuated by said spring means.

4. In a device of the character described, a take-up means comprising plates pivotally connected together for movement into extended position or into folded relation with each other, an extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, spring means acting upon said extension member to move it into its extended position relative to said plate, and spring pressed stop mechanism for controlling the movement of said extension member in one direction relative to said plate.

5. In a device of the character described, a take-up means comprising plates pivotally connected together for movement into extended position or into folded relation with each other, an extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, spring means acting upon said extension member to move it into its extended position relative to said plate, and a ratchet member and resilient pawl carried by said extension member and plate respectively for controlling the movement of said extension member relative to said plate.

6. In a device of the character described, a take-up means comprising plates pivotally connected together for movement into extended position or into folded relation with each other, an extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, spring means acting upon said extension member to move it into its extended position relative to said plate, and an adjustable release mechanism for regulating the movement of said extension member relative to said plate.

7. In a device of the character described, a. take-up means comprising plates pivotally connected together for movement into extended position or into folded relation with each other, an extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, spring means acting upon said extension member to move it into its extended position relative to said plate, and a resilient release mechanism for regulating the extent of movement of said extension member relative to said plate.

8. In a bracelet structure, a take-up means made up of separate plates connected for movement into either folded or extended position relative to each other, an extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, means for movlng said extension member into extended position relative to said plate, and means for controlling the extent of move ment of said extension member.

9. In a bracelet structure, a take-up means made up of pivotally connected plates adapted to be folded together, a movable springpressed extension member carried by one of said plates, and adjustable means for controlling the movement of said extension member under the iniiuence of said spring in one direction.

10. In a bracelet structure, a take-up means made up of hingedly connected plates adapted to be folded together, a movable springpressed extension member carried by one of said plates, and a manually operable release mechanism for regulating the movement of said extension member relative to its supporting plate.

11. In a bracelet structure, a take-up means made up of aseries of pivotally connected plates adapted to be folded together, a movable spring-pressed extension member carried by one of the end plates of said series, and a spring controlled release mechanism for regulating the movement of said extension member relative to its supporting plate.

12. A take-up means made up of'hingedly connected plates adapted to be folded together, a movable extension member supported by one of said plates, resilient means engaging said extension member to move it relative to said plate, and a manually actuated stop mechanism for regulating the movement ofv said extension member relative to said takeup means. n

13. A take-up means of the character described comprising plates hingedly connected together and adapted to be folded into interfitting relation with each other, an extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, spring means normally urging said extension member into extended position relative to said plate, and means for regulating the movement of said extension member relative to said plate.

14. A take-up means comprising a plurality of plates pivotally connected together for movement into extended position or into folded relation with each other, a spring pressed extension member slidably supported by one of said plates, and adjustable means for effecting longitudinal adjustment of said extension member relative to its supporting plate When the plates are arranged in folded position.

15. A take-up means comprising a lpluraled by one of said plates, means for retaining said extension member in xed position relative to its supporting plate when the several plates are in either extended position or in folded relation to each other, and means for 1o releasing said retaining means when the plates are in either extended position or in folded relation to each other.

16. A take-up means comprising pivotally connected plates adapted to be arranged in extended position or folded into interfitting relation with each other, one of the end plates being provided with lateral guide edges, a spring pressed extension member provided with spaced portions slidably mounted in said guide edges, and adjustable means forretaining said extension member in any one of a plurality of adjusted positions relative to said end plate when the plates are in extended positlon or in intertting relation with each other.

17. A take-up means comprising a plurality of pivotally connected plates adapted to be arranged in extended position or'to be folded into interiitting relation with each other, one of the end plates being provided with lateral lguide edges, an extension member provided with spaced arms slidably extension member in adjusted position relative to its supporting plate.

20. A take-up means for bracelets comprising a plurality of plates pivotally connected together for movement into extended position or folded relation with each other, an extension member slidably supported by vone of said plates, cooperating means carried b y said extension member and plate respectively for regulating the movement of said extension member relative to said plate comprising a pawl and ratchet teeth, and means carrie by said pawl and engaging the ratchet for limitin said pawl wit In testimony signature.

the degree of engagement of the ratchet teeth.

whereof I have axed my EDWIN G. CARLSON.

mounted in said guide ed es, and separate i resilient members'carried `said end plate and normally engaging sai extension member to urge the same into extended position relative to said end plate.

18. A take-up means comprising a plurality of pivotally connected plates adapted to 40 be arranged in extended position or to be folded into interfitting relation with each other, one of said end plates being provided with lateral guide edges, an extension member having spaced arms slidably mounted in said guide edges, resilient means carried so extension member, and a resiliently acting by said end plate and normally urging said extension member into extended position relative to said plate, stop means carried by sald pawl cooperating with said stop means for regulating the movement of said extension member relative to said plate.

19. In a take-up means comprising a plurality of pivotally mounted plates adapted -to be arranged in extended position or ininteriitting relation with each other, one of said plates being provided with lateral guide edges,` a spring pressed extension member provided with spaced lateral portions slidably mounted in said guide edges, and pawl and ratchet means carried by said extension member and plate respectively and effective in either the extended position or intertting relation of Said plates for holding slid las 

